July, 1912 
AMERICAN HOMES 
AND GARDENS v 
THE MOST EXPENSIVE WOOD IN 
THE WORLD 
ABOLE (Anisophyllea cabole Henriq.) 
C: is the name of a beautiful tree belong- 
ing to the mangrove family of plants, 
Rhizophoracee. Tt is a native of the west 
coast of Africa, and is very common on the 
island of St. Thomas, where it is found gen- 
erally in low or medium elevated portions. 
In the southern part of the island the tree 
grows so near the shore that its roots oc- 
casionally strike salt water. A more ideal 
situation is on the southern slopes of the 
mountains, where in its mature state it 
forms a very large tree. Individual speci- 
mens may be seen here and there which are 
from 120 to 140 feet high and from 4 to 
% feet in diameter 4 feet above the ground. 
Most of the trees are very much smaller, 
for the reason that practically all the 
mature trees have been cut down to make 
room for the cultivation of sugar cane. The 
large trees which are now to be found on 
these islands have been spared for the pur- 
pose of shade or wind break. 
The wood, which is very highly esteemed, 
has a yellow ish or light chestnut-brown 
color with darker colored streaks. It is 
very firm and durable, and when sawed into 
boards has the appearance of teakwood 
(Tectona grandis L.) It is easily worked 
and is susceptible to very high polish. 
When carefully filled and varnished it takes 
on a most beautiful appearance. The 
specific gravity of this wood is about 0.780 
or 48.5 pounds per cubic foot. It is the 
most costly wood in the world, and is used 
at present only for making high-grade 
furniture and objects of luxury. This wood 
also serves as material for making fancy 
doors, parquetry, and interior finish of very 
fine residences. 
Cabole was first sold in the city of St. 
Thomas in 1885, and immediately became 
very popular for all sorts of fancy work. 
The first boards which were brought in 
the market were not sawed, but split with 
wedges. Several of the merchants in St. 
Thomas at once attempted to introduce this 
beautiful wood into the English and Ger- 
man markets, but the cost of preparing the 
logs for shipment was so great that the pro- 
ject failed. The wood retained its popu- 
larity in St. Thomas, and the price soon 
went up to about $3,500 per cubic meter. 
Cabole may, therefore, be considered the 
most expensive wood in the world. 
THE MAKING OF COPPER 
STENCILS 
O make copper stencils for marking 
laundry, etc., stencil sheet copper is used 
(the thinnest that is made) and dipped in a 
tin dish containing melted bees’ wax so that 
both sides will be evenly covered with a thin 
coat of the wax. The monogram, device or 
figure is then drawn on ordinary white 
paper, the reverse side of the paper is black- 
ened with graphite, and it is laid on the cen- 
ter of the stencil plate and by means of a 
blunt needle the design is lightly traced. The 
design will now be visible on the thin wax 
coating. With the same blunt needle or 
point trace the monogram, but not complete- 
ly, the lines being interrupted at regular in- 
tervals, to form “holders,” so that after etch- 
ing the monogram cannot fall out. Then 
the stencils are laid in a dish, fresh nitric 
acid poured over it, and the air bubbles re- 
moved with a goose feather. In barely 
half a minute the monogram will be eaten 
through. This may be observed by holding 
the stencil up to the light. It is then rinsed 
off with water and the wax coating re- 
moved by heating and wiping it off with a 
cloth. 
TT JOHN DAVEY 
Father of Tree Surgery 
COPYRIGHT 1912] 
Many of your trees may ap- 
pear sound and yet have some hid- * 
den disease that will eventually kill * 
them causing your property to depreciate in” 
value. This tree, “The Old Sycamore” at ‘ 
Wells College, Aurora, N. Y., was not thought © 
to be in serious condition. The Davey Ex- % 
perts found several cavities and gave the @ 
tree a new lease of life. Before it is too late | 
to save your trees, have them examined. 4 
The Davey Tree Experts 
Do 
this work, when requested, without cost, and the charge 
for treating trees in many cases is-no more than the cost 
of carting dead trees away. All Davey Tree Experts are 
Graduates of the Davey Institute of Tree Surgery. They 
are employed by the Davey Tree Expert Company. WE 
NEVER LET GOOD MEN GO. Before you let any man 
touch your trees, demand to see his credentials proving him 
qualified. All Davey Tree Experts carry such testimon- 
ials. If you own trees write for our interesting book and 
arrange for an examination. 
The Davey Tree Expert Co., 
230 ELM STREET, KENT, OHIO 
Branch Offices: New York, Chicago, Toronto 
Canac'an Address: 707 New Birks Building, Montreal, Canada 
Representatives Available Everywhere 
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